1997 Volkswagen Passat Body & Structure Problems
5 owner-reported body & structure complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (5)
1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS, AND SIDE DOOR HANDLE.*MR *NM
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES OF BOTH FRONT DOORS DO NOT WORK. REAR DOOR HANDLES MUST BE PULLED HARD TO WORK. DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE WORKS ONLY IF WINDOWS ARE LOWERED SIGNIFICANTLY, BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. DURING THIS CAR ENTRY PROCESS, I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT RIGHT REAR WINDOW WILL GO BACK UP WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE PIN WAS REINSTALLED BY DEALER 4/18/2002, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN 2 MONTHS LATER. PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FAILED ON 10/31/2002. IT DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE LOWERED WINDOWS. DT
RT FRONT PASSSENGER DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE SECURELY. I WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR THE 3RD TIME TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *AK
DOOR HANDLE HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THERE IS A LOUD CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH METAL IS CRACKING VERY LOUD. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO BODY: WHEEL WELL CRACKS. THE VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR PROLBEM. *AK